Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

It is possible to hear in Jesus’ high priestly prayer, a prayer he offered shortly before his death, the petitions of the ascended Christ for his own throughout history—to our day—and beyond. Jesus prays for us. In holy baptism we become believers in God, have our robes washed in the flood of Christ’s forgiveness, and receive the gift of life forever with all the saints.

Acts 16:16-34

While in prison, Paul speaks to the jailer, who is then baptized

Psalm 97

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous. (Ps. 97:12)

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

Blessed are those who wash their robes

John 17:20-26

Jesus prays that the disciples will be one and abide in his love

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. Jesus provides visions of peace that surpasses human understanding and power beyond human imagination.

Acts 16:9-15

Lydia and her household are baptized by Paul

Psalm 67

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. (Ps. 67:4)

Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5

The Lamb is the light of the city of God

John 14:23-29

The Father will send the Holy Spirit

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Easter initiates a new day. It anticipates a new heaven and a new earth. The risen Christ is making all things new. In the mystery of holy baptism God has made new people of us. Today Jesus invites us to see everyone in a new light—through the lens of love.

Acts 11:1-18

Peter’s vision: God give the Gentiles repentance that leads to life

Psalm 148

The splendor of the Lord is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)

Revelation 21:1-6

New heaven, new earth: springs of living water in the new Jerusalem

John 13:31-35

Jesus gives a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

The disciples make a big splash and eat breakfast with the risen Jesus. Wading in the water (remembering baptism) and eating with Jesus (celebrating holy communion) is our weekly encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus asks us again and again: Do you love me? And Jesus invites us, again and again, to follow him, bringing the Easter life to others.

Acts 9:1-6

Paul’s conversion, baptism, and preaching

Psalm 30

You have turned my wailing into dancing. (Ps. 30:11)

Revelation 5:11-14

The song of the living creatures to the Lamb

John 21:1-19

Jesus appears to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

In spite of all we have heard and all we have seen, it is often hard to believe. Because it is hard to believe, we will invest ourselves in the Easter mystery for fifty days (a week of weeks). Because it is hard to believe, John the evangelist will provide sign after sign celebrating Jesus’ victory over death. Because it is hard to believe, the risen Jesus will return to us again and again in the mystery of holy communion, inviting us to touch and taste his presence, and offering us his peace.

Acts 5:27-32

The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus

Psalm 118:14-29

You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)

Psalm 150 (alternate)

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. (Ps. 150:6)

Revelation 1:4-8

Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the dead, is coming

John 20:19-31

Beholding the wounds of the risen Christ

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death,” Paul writes. Today Christ is risen, and we gather together with astonishment and joy. Christ is risen, and we have been set free from the bonds of death. Christ is risen, and we are forgiven. Christ is risen, and with the women at the tomb and Peter, we are amazed. Let us rejoice: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Isaiah 65:17-25

New heavens and a new earth

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps. 118:24)

Acts 10:34-43

God raised Jesus on the third day

Luke 24:1-12

The women proclaim the resurrection

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.

Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14

The passover of the Lord

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. (Ps. 116:13)

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

The service of Christ: footwashing and meal

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Today we follow Christ from triumphal entry to the cross, each waypoint of the journey marked by Jesus’ compassion for those who would betray, mock, accuse, or do violence to him. Though persecuted and beaten, Jesus the Son of God is not disgraced; instead, he asks forgiveness for those who put him to death. We have walked the Lenten pathway these forty days, each of us invited through baptism to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” We enter this holy week accompanying Jesus to the cross with both grief and thanksgiving in our hearts, trusting in God’s redeeming love.

Luke 19:28-40

Entrance into the final days

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The servant of the Lord submits to suffering

Philippians 2:5-11

Humbled to the point of death on a cross

Luke 22:14--23:56

The passion of the Lord

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Our God makes all things new. In the first reading God promises it. In the gospel Mary anticipates it, anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume in preparation for the day of his burial. In the second reading Paul recalls his transformation from the persecutor Saul into an apostle. In baptism, God’s new person (you!) rises daily from the deadly mire of trespasses and sins.

Isaiah 43:16-21

The Lord gives water in the wilderness to the chosen people

Psalm 126

Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. (Ps. 126:5)

Philippians 3:4b-14

To know Christ and his resurrection, to share in his sufferings

John 12:1-8

Mary anoints Jesus for his burial

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

The warnings are plentiful and blunt on the third Sunday in Lent. Cut it out or get cut down! The warnings are accompanied by God’s invitation to attentiveness: “Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.” The landowner’s ultimatum is forestalled by the gardener’s readiness to till the ground one more year. That is good news for all of us. Thanks be to God!

Isaiah 55:1-9

Everyone who thirsts, come to the water; seek the Lord

Psalm 63:1-8

O God, eagerly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you. (Ps. 63:1)

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Israel, baptized in cloud and seas, ate the same spiritual food as Christians

Luke 13:1-9

Unless you repent, you will perish: parable of the fig tree